Media watch: Flailing government and Jolie's promise

The government admits failure in Sindh relief efforts while implementing new steps, as Angelina Jolie promises help.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Sindh CM admits failure in coping with flood

Talking to reporters during a visit to a flooded area near the village of Lodra on Monday, he admitted that the government could not formulate solid policies and strategies for protection of people in the wake of flood threat because experts of irrigation and the departments concerned failed to provide information and guidance to people and evolve a strategy to cope with the emergency. (dawn.com)

PIA suspends cargo ops to carry relief goods from abroad

Pakistan International Airlines has started free transportation of relief goods from all of its international destinations for flood victims after suspending commercial cargo operation. PIA managing director Captain Mohammad Aijaz Haroon stated this while speaking at a press conference, launching the "PIA's Flood Relief Operation 2010" at the airline's headquarter here on Monday. Masroor Afzal Pasha (dailytimes.com.pk)

Floods wash away 600,000 wheat bags, cause Rs1.54b loss

The devastating floods have washed away more than 600,000 bags of wheat stored by the Punjab Food Department in the flood-hit areas of the province. According to a rough estimate, it has caused a loss of Rs 1.54 billion to the Department. Imran Mukhtar (nation.com.pk)

Punjab imposes Flood Tax

Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that flood has affected about 8.5 million people while a damage of Rs 80 billion has been estimated so far. The CM also announced imposition of flood tax in the province. "Recommendations are being given a final shape in this regard and this tax will be levied only on such persons who have the capacity to pay," Shahbaz said. brecorder.com

Angelina Jolie promises help for Pakistan flood victims

Speaking as she promoted her new action thriller, Salt, in London's Leicester Square she said: ''I'm doing what I can. I'm talking to Ambassador Richard Holbrook, the UN and people on the ground about how we can spend our money.'' Laura Roberts (telegraph.co.uk)

Will Pakistan's Floods Take Down the Economy and the President?

The difficult economic conditions have provided the political opposition an opportunity. Striking a nationalist pose, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared that Pakistan has no need for foreign aid. Among a broad swath of Pakistani public opinion, holding out a hand for help constitutes a loss of dignity and therefore face. Zardari is already weighed down by the impression that he is too reliant on the West and so his political foes believe that his asking the world for help will damage the President even more. "It's a nutty approach," says a Zardari aide about the political opposition to aid. "If people are there to help you, and they want to help you, why do you want to make them uncomfortable?" Omar Waraich (time.com)